Athletic Bilbao defender Iñigo Lekue. (Photo : Getty Images)
Sixth-running squad Athletic Bilbao (14-11-6, 48 points) is looking to snap their two-game winless skid against struggling team Rayo Vallecano (7-14-10, 31 points) at the San Mamés Stadium this Sunday, April 10th as the 2015-2016 La Liga season slowly winds down to a close.
The Athletic Club's four-game winning run was halted by two straight winless efforts, with the first one a 1-2 loss to middling team Espanyol and the most recent one a 1-1 draw with lowly Granada also at their home stadium of San Mamés last Sunday, as per SkySports.
Right back Iñigo Lekue scored the opening goal of the contest at the 28th minute for Ernesto Valverde's side, but El Graná was able to level the count late in the second half, at the 77th, with a right-footed strike from the left side of the box from Venezuelan forward Adalberto Penaranda.
The tie retained Los Leones to the sixth spot in the overall standings, still only a point below current fifth-placed team Celta Vigo, who also drew their match against Deportivo La Coruna last Saturday, and nine points behind fourth-placed Villarreal for the final Champions League berth.
Athletic still has a chance to qualify for next season's Champions League mathematically if they can string a few wins in the final seven matchdays of the season.
Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano pulled off a rare win in the last matchday as they blanked bottom three squad Getafe, 2-0, at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas on April 1st, as reported by Goal.
Los Franjirrojos striker Javi Guerra put manager Paco Jémez's side up early at the 15th minute while Venezuelan striker Miku doubled the lead at the 71st en route to a clean sheet for Rayo goalkeeper Juan Carlos.
Rayo is currently at the 16th spot of the league table, only three points above the relegation zone as they pulled off their first win in their last eight matches.
The predicted result is a 2-0 bounce back victory for Athletic Bilbao.
Athletic Bilbao starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Iraizoz; de Marcos, Etxeita, Gurpegui, Balenziaga; San Jose, Benat; del Moral, Garcia, Zuloaga; Aduriz
Rayo Vallecano starting lineup (3-4-1-2 formation): Carlos; Quini, Crespo, Tito; Hernandez, Llorente, Baena, Bebe; Trashorras; Guerra, Miku
